CBK did not advise State on Anglo-Leasing, says witness

Former deputy Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) governor Jacinta Wanjala yesterday said the regulator had no legal mandate to advise the government on Anglo- Leasing security contracts.

She also denied ever seeing the controversial contracts or even participating in their negotiations before the CBK approved their payment. “The CBK did not have any privilege to see the security contracts the government had entered into from different ministries even after we had made request to see them before we approved the payment,” she said adding that such advice was confined to the office of the Attorney General.

At the same time the prosecution admitted they were having trouble getting their witnesses, among them former Attorney General Amos Wako and whistle-blower John Githongo.

Prosecutor Nicholas Mutuku has filed an application seeking permission to tender the evidence of some of the remaining witness through video-conference saying some are in Switzerland, Australia and the United States of America.

The court also allowed the defence to file an application seeking to have late former Finance minister David Mwiraria’s name removed from the charge sheet even as prosecution protested.